Katherine lets fall her brush, and looks at her almost in alarm.

Olive.  How long has Daddy been away?

Katherine.  Six weeks.

Olive.  It seems about a hundred years, doesn’t it?  Has he been making speeches all the time?

Katherine.  Yes.

Olive.  To-night, too?

Katherine.  Yes.

Olive.  The night that man was here whose head’s too bald for anything—­oh!  Mummy, you know—­the one who cleans his teeth so termendously—­I heard Daddy making a speech to the wind.  It broke a wine-glass.  His speeches must be good ones, mustn’t they!

Katherine.  Very.

Olive.  It felt funny; you couldn’t see any wind, you know.

Katherine.  Talking to the wind is an expression, Olive.

Olive.  Does Daddy often?

Katherine.  Yes, nowadays.

Olive.  What does it mean?

Katherine.  Speaking to people who won’t listen.

Olive.  What do they do, then?

Katherine.  Just a few people go to hear him, and then a great crowd comes and breaks in; or they wait for him outside, and throw things, and hoot.

Olive.  Poor Daddy!  Is it people on our side who throw things?

Katherine.  Yes, but only rough people.

Olive.  Why does he go on doing it?  I shouldn’t.

Katherine.  He thinks it is his duty.

Olive.  To your neighbour, or only to God?

Katherine.  To both.

Olive.  Oh!  Are those his letters?

Katherine.  Yes.

Olive. [Reading from the letter] “My dear Heart.”  Does he always call you his dear heart, Mummy?  It’s rather jolly, isn’t it?  “I shall be home about half-past ten to-morrow night.  For a few hours the fires of p-u-r-g-a-t-or-y will cease to burn—­” What are the fires of p-u-r-g-a-t-o-r-y?

Katherine. [Putting away the letters] Come, Olive!

Olive.  But what are they?

Katherine.  Daddy means that he’s been very unhappy.

Olive.  Have you, too?

Katherine.  Yes.

Olive. [Cheerfully] So have I. May I open the window?

Katherine.  No; you’ll let the mist in.

Olive.  Isn’t it a funny mist-all flat!

Katherine.  Now, come along, frog!

Olive. [Making time] Mummy, when is Uncle Hubert coming back?

Katherine.  We don’t know, dear.

Olive.  I suppose Auntie Helen’ll stay with us till he does.

Katherine.  Yes.

Olive.  That’s something, isn’t it?

Katherine. [Picking her up] Now then!